Dust collector with filter cleaning mechanism

ABSTRACT

A dust collector for use with a power tool comprises a housing, a telescoping suction pipe coupled to the housing, a suction fan positioned in the housing and operable to generate a vacuum in the suction pipe, a dust container coupled to the housing and positioned upstream of the fan, a filter at least partially arranged in the dust container, and a filter cleaning mechanism. The filter cleaning mechanism includes an anvil, a striker moveable between a first striker position, in which the striker is spaced from the anvil, and a second striker position, in which the striker is in contact with the anvil. The filter cleaning mechanism further includes an actuator moveable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, in which the actuator is moved closer to the anvil than in the first position, and a first spring biasing the striker toward the anvil.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/609,369, filed on Dec. 22, 2017, and co-pending U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,891, filed on Mar. 29, 2018,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to power tools, and more particularly todust collectors for use with power tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dust collectors are typically used in tandem with hand-held drillingtools such as rotary hammers to collect dust and other debris during adrilling operation to prevent dust and other debris from accumulating ata worksite. Such dust collectors may be attached to a rotary hammer toposition a suction inlet of the collector proximate a drill bit attachedto the rotary hammer. Such dust collectors may also include an on-boarddust container in which dust and other debris is accumulated. Such dustcollectors are often removable from the dust collector to facilitatedisposal of the accumulated dust and debris.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a dust collector for usewith a hand-held power tool, the dust collector including a housing, atelescoping suction pipe coupled to the housing, a suction fanpositioned in the housing and operable to generate a vacuum in thesuction pipe, a dust container coupled to the housing and positionedupstream of the fan, a filter at least partially arranged in the dustcontainer, and a filter cleaning mechanism including an anvil, a strikermoveable between a first striker position, in which the striker isspaced from the anvil, and a second striker position, in which thestriker is in contact with the anvil, an actuator moveable between afirst actuator position and a second actuator position, in which theactuator is moved closer to the anvil than in the first position, and afirst spring biasing the striker toward the anvil. In response to theactuator being depressed, the actuator is moved from the first actuatorposition to the second actuator position and the first spring moves thestriker from the first striker position to the second striker position,such that the anvil impacts the filter, thereby dislodging dust andother debris therefrom.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a dust collector foruse with a hand-held power tool, the dust collector including a housing,a telescoping suction pipe coupled to the housing, a suction fanpositioned in the housing and operable to generate a vacuum in thesuction pipe, a dust container coupled to the housing and positionedupstream of the fan, a filter at least partially arranged in the dustcontainer, and a filter cleaning mechanism including a mechanism housinghaving an internal shoulder, an anvil arranged within the mechanismhousing and defining an anvil axis, a striker arranged within themechanism housing and moveable between a first striker position, inwhich the striker is engaged against the internal shoulder and spacedfrom the anvil, and a second striker position, in which the striker isdisengaged from the shoulder, in contact with the anvil, and coaxialwith the anvil axis, an actuator moveable between a first actuatorposition and a second actuator position, in which the actuator is movedcloser to the anvil than in the first position, the actuator includingan actuator contact portion, and a spring biasing the striker againstthe internal shoulder of the mechanism housing. In response to movementof the actuator from the first actuator position to the second actuatorposition, the actuator contact portion moves the striker off of theshoulder and the spring moves the striker from the first strikerposition to the second striker position.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a dust collector foruse with a hand-held power tool, the dust collector including a housing,a telescoping suction pipe coupled to the housing, a suction fanpositioned in the housing and operable to generate a vacuum in thesuction pipe, a dust container coupled to the housing and positionedupstream of the fan, a filter at least partially arranged in the dustcontainer, and a filter cleaning mechanism including a carrier pivotablycoupled to the dust container about a carrier axis, a cleaning elementcoupled to the carrier and extending transversely to the carrier axis,the cleaning element element being within the dust container and incontact with the filter, and a knob coupled for co-rotation with thecarrier and positioned outside the dust container, wherein rotation ofthe knob pivots the carrier and the cleaning element about the carrieraxis, such that the cleaning element is moved across the filter todislodge dust and other debris from the filter.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a dust collectorincluding a housing, a telescoping suction pipe coupled to the housing,a suction fan positioned in the housing and operable to generate avacuum in the suction pipe, a dust container coupled to the housing andpositioned upstream of the fan, a filter at least partially arranged inthe dust container, and a filter cleaning mechanism including a ratchethousing arranged against the filter, a ratchet member configured torotate within the housing, and a pawl member configured to vibrate theratchet housing, and thus the filter, in response to rotation of theratchet member against the pawl member, thereby dislodging dust andother debris from the filter.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a dust collectorincluding a housing, a telescoping suction pipe coupled to the housing,a suction fan positioned in the housing and operable to generate avacuum in the suction pipe, a dust container coupled to the housing andoperable to generate a vacuum in the suction pipe, a filter at leastpartially arranged in the dust container, the filter including a firstend, a second end, a plurality of pleats arranged between the first endand the second end, and a plurality of valleys, each valley arrangedbetween a pair of adjacent pleats, and a filter cleaning mechanismincluding a sweeper having at least one blade arranged within eachvalley, a biasing member biasing the sweeper toward the first end of thefilter and away from the second end of the filter, and a pull cordcoupled to the sweeper, the pull cord configured to pull the sweeperalong the filter from the first end to the second end, such that theblade moves within the valley between the first end and the second endto dislodge dust and other debris from the filter.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent byconsideration of the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dust collector in accordance with anembodiment of the invention attached to a rotary power tool.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of the dust container of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A-3E are cross-sectional views of a filter cleaning mechanism ofthe dust container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dust collector in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention attached to a rotary power tool.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the dust container 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 4, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, withportions removed.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the dust container of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 4 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, withportions removed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective of a dust container of the dust collector ofFIG. 4 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, withportions removed.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention withportions removed.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the dust container of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the dust container ofFIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 1, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 4, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, withportions removed.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of a ratchet assembly of the dustcontainer of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 4, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, withportions removed.

FIG. 12B is perspective view of a dust container of the dust collectorof FIG. 1, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, withportions removed.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a rotary power tool 100 equipped with a dust suctiondevice or dust collector 10 in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The dust collector 10 is separate from the rotary power tool100, and may be attached to and detached from the rotary power tool 100so that the power tool 100 may be used without the dust collector 10.Accordingly, the rotary power tool 100 may or may not be equipped withthe dust collector 10 depending on the requirement of the application.

The dust collector 10 includes a housing 12 and a telescoping suctionpipe 20 coupled to the housing 12 through which dust and other debris isdrawn into the housing 12. The dust collector 10 also includes a dustcontainer 28, a high efficiency particulate air (“HEPA”) filter 18positioned in the dust container 28 (FIGS. 2A and 2B), a suction fan 13(FIG. 1) positioned downstream of the filter 18, and an electric motor14 for rotating the suction fan 13. When rotated by the electric motor14, the suction fan 13 is operable to generate a vacuum within thesuction pipe 20 to draw dust and other debris into the dust container28.

With reference to FIG. 2A, the dust collector 10 further includes afilter cleaning mechanism 22 positioned within the dust container 28 forcleaning the filter 18. During a drilling and/or hammering operationperformed by the power tool 100, dust-laden air travels through thesuction tube 20 and into a dust collection chamber 16 of the dustcontainer 28, where debris is collected. The air stream continuesthrough the filter 18 before being exhausted out of the container 28 viaan outlet end 26 of the filter 18.

The dust container 28 is a selectively attachable to the housing 12. Thedust container 28 includes an inlet 24 for a dust laden air stream andan outlet defined by the outlet end 26 of the filter 18. Morespecifically, the dust container 28 includes opposite side walls 28 aand a bottom wall 28 b extending between the side walls 28 a. The sidewalls 28 a and the bottom wall 28 b partially define the dust collectionchamber 16. The dust container 28 additionally includes end walls 30adjacent each of the side walls 28 a and the bottom wall 28 b, and anopening 30 a in one of the end walls 30 through which the filter 18 isreceived. The dust container 28 is operable to collect dust and otherdebris from a workpiece during the drilling and/or hammering operationperformed by the power tool 100 to maintain the user's work area issubstantially clear of dust. Because the dust container 28 is detachablefrom the housing of the dust collector 10, the dust container 28 may beremoved to allow an operator to empty the dust from the dust collectionchamber 16.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, the filter cleaning mechanism 22 includesa mechanism housing 34 having an anvil 32 defining an anvil axis 36 anda striker 40 for striking the anvil 32. The mechanism housing 34includes a first end 34 a protruding out of the dust container 28 and anopposite second end 34 b proximate a bottom side 18 a of the filter 18.An O-ring 41 is arranged between the first end 34 a and the bottom wall28 b of the dust container 28 to prevent dust and debris collected inthe dust collection chamber 16 from escaping the dust container 28. Thestriker 40 is biased toward the anvil 32 by a first spring 44 that isseated about a perch 46 of an actuator 38, which at least partiallysurrounds the striker 40. The perch 46 defines a perch axis 45 that isoffset relative to the anvil axis 36 by an angle α that is between about0 and 30 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α isapproximately 10 degrees.

The striker 40 is biased away from anvil 40 by a second spring 50 seatedon the anvil 40. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and3A-3E, the first and second springs 44, 50 are compression springs. Thesecond spring 50 has a stiffness that is less than a stiffness of thefirst spring 44. The striker 40 is moveable between a first strikerposition (FIG. 3A), in which the striker 40 is spaced from the anvil 40,and a second striker position (FIG. 3E), in which it is in contact withthe anvil 32. Specifically, in the first striker position, an annularshoulder 52 of the striker 40 is caught against an internal shoulder 48of the mechanism housing 34 due to the biasing force of the first spring44. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A-3E, theactuator 38 is a button moveable between a first actuator position and asecond actuator position, in which the actuator 38 is moved closer tothe anvil 32 than in the first position. The actuator 38 includes abellows 42 on its outer surface, which is engageable by a user fordepression of the actuator 38. A cap 56 is arranged over the second end34 b of the mechanism housing 34 and is engaged against both the anvil32 and the bottom side 18 a of the filter 18.

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate the operation of the filter cleaning mechanism22. FIG. 3A illustrates the mechanism 22 in an initial (pre-operational)state. The striker 40 is in the first striker position such that theannular shoulder 52 of the striker 40 is caught against an internalshoulder 48 of the mechanism housing 34 due to the biasing force of thefirst spring 44. As the actuator 38 is initially depressed from itsfirst position toward its second position, the first spring 44 becomesincreasingly compressed and the striker 40 remains on the internalshoulder 48 (FIGS. 3B and 3C) until an annular tapered cam surface 38 aon the interior of the actuator 38, which partly defines the bore inwhich the first spring 44 is located, contacts an annular taperedfollower surface 40 a on the exterior of the striker 40, pushing thestriker 40 off the internal shoulder 48 (FIG. 3D).

Once the striker 40 has been pushed off the internal shoulder 48, thefirst spring 44 rebounds, releasing the stored potential energy of thefirst spring 44 and displacing the striker 40 toward the second strikerposition, in which it strikes the anvil (FIG. 3E). In addition, becausethe spring constant of the second spring 50 is less than the springconstant of the first spring 44, the rebounding first spring 44transfers part of its stored energy into the second spring 50, causingthe second spring 50 to compress. As the striker 40 travels between theposition in FIG. 3D, in which it has been pushed off the internalshoulder 48, and the second striker position in FIG. 3E, the striker 40is reoriented by an internal side 54 of the actuator 38 to be coaxialwith the anvil axis 36, such that the striker 40 moves along theinternal side 54 of the actuator and an internal side 53 of themechanism housing 34 until it strikes the anvil 32 (FIG. 3E). The forceapplied to the anvil 32 by the striker 40 is in turn applied to the cap56 by the anvil 32 and thus applied to the bottom side 18 a of thefilter 18 by the cap 56, thereby dislodging dust and other debris fromthe filter 18. When the actuator 38 is released by the operator, thefirst spring 44 is almost completely expanded and the second spring 50is then able to release its stored potential energy to push the striker40 back toward the first striker position, which in turn causes thefirst spring 44 to push the actuator 38 back toward the first actuatorposition, returning the filter cleaning mechanism 22 to the state shownin FIG. 3A. Around the time when the striker 40 reaches the positionshown in FIG. 3D, the striker 40 is redirected underneath the internalshoulder 48 of the mechanism housing 34, as shown in FIGS. 3C-3A,because the perch axis 46 is oblique with respect to the anvil axis 36,thus causing the first spring 44 to direct the striker 40 away from theanvil axis 36 and underneath the shoulder 48.

FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B illustrates another embodiment of a dust collector10′ for use with a rotary power tool 100′, with like componentsdesignated with an apostrophe. The dust collector 10′ and dust container28′ are substantially similar to the dust collector 10 and dustcontainer 28 of FIGS. 1-3 except for the following differences explainedbelow. Specifically, the actuator 38′ of the filter cleaning cleaningmechanism 22′ is positioned in an end wall 30′ instead of the bottomwall 28 b′. Also, the dust container 28′ has an approximate triangleshape instead of the approximately L-shape of the dust container 28.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment of a dust container 128that is similar in some respects to dust container 28′, with likecomponents identified with like reference numerals plus “100” and theapostrophe removed. The dust container 128 itself is largely identicalto dust container 28′, while the filter cleaning mechanism 122 haschanged, as described below. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, thefilter cleaning mechanism 122 includes a carrier 158 pivotably supportedwithin the dust container 128 about a carrier axis 160 (FIG. 6A). Morespecifically, the carrier 158 is pivotably supported by at least one ofthe side walls 128 a of the dust container 128. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the carrier 158 is pivotably supportedby two of the side walls 128 a. The carrier 158 includes a cleaningelement 162 extending away from the carrier axis 160 for contacting aninlet surface 131 of the filter 118. The filter cleaning mechanism 122also includes one or more knobs 164, with each knob arranged on androtatably supported by the exterior of one of the side walls 128 a. Theknobs 164 are coupled for movement with the carrier 158, such thatpivoting the one or more knobs 164 about the carrier axis 160 causespivoting of the carrier 158 and the cleaning element 162 about thecarrier axis 160 to sweep debris from the inlet surface 124 of thefilter 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter 118 includes aplurality of pleats 168 a and a plurality of valleys 168 b arrangedalong the filter 118, with each valley 168 b being arranged between apair of adjacent pleats 168 a. In the illustrated embodiment, thecleaning element 162 is a plurality of comb teeth 162 a that areconfigured to sweep through the valleys 168 b when the comb teeth 162 aare pivoted about the carrier axis 160. As such, rotation of the knob164 allows the comb teeth 162 a to sweep debris from the valleys 168 b.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a dust container 228 that issimilar in some respects to dust container 28′, with like componentsidentified with like reference numerals plus “200” and the apostropheremoved. The dust container 228 itself is largely identical to dustcontainer 28′, while the filter cleaning mechanism 222 has changed, asdescribed below. With reference to FIG. 7, the cleaning element 262 onthe carrier 258 of the dust container assembly 228 is a brush includingmultiple groups of bristles 270. The carrier 258 is pivotably supportedby at least one of the side walls 228 a of the dust container 228. Inthe shown embodiments, the carrier 258 is pivotably supported by two ofthe side walls 228 a. Pivoting the one or more knobs 264 back and forthabout the carrier axis 260 allows the cleaning element 262 to sweep theinlet surface 230 of the filter 218. In some embodiments, the bristles270 are configured to sweep through the valleys 268 b of the filter 218as the cleaning element 262 pivots about the carrier axis 260. Thecarrier 258 is supported by the one or more knobs 264 and the knobs 264are keyed to a shaft 272 of the carrier 258 through a plurality of flats274, thus ensuring co-rotation of the carrier 258 and the knobs 264. Thecleaning element 262 has a predefined range of rotation about thecarrier axis 260 and one of the cleaning element 262, carrier 258, orknob 264 includes stops to prevent the cleaning element 262 fromrotating beyond the range of rotation. For example, the stops may bearranged such that the bristles 270 are prevented from leaving the inletsurface 231 of the filter 218. Seals are included between the carrier258 and the dust container 228 to prevent leakage of air or debrisoutside the dust container 228.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of a dust container 328 thatis similar in some respects to dust container 28′, with like componentsidentified with like reference numerals plus “300” and the apostropheremoved. The dust container 328 itself is largely identical to dustcontainer 28′, while the filter cleaning mechanism 322 has changed, asdescribed below. With reference to FIG. 8, the cleaning element 362 onthe carrier 358 of the dust container 328 is a plurality of comb teeth362 a. The cleaning element 362 is attached to the carrier 358, which iscoupled to the one or more knob 364. The carrier 358 is pivotablysupported by at least one of the side walls 328 a of the dust container328 via the one or more knobs 364. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.8, the carrier 358 is pivotably supported by two of the side walls 328 avia oppositely arranged knobs 364. Rotating the carrier 358 back andforth rotates the comb teeth 362 a to comb the filter 318 between itsrespective pleats 368 a and remove debris from the valleys 368 b. Thecleaning element 362 is supported by the dust container side walls 328a, and the knob 364 is integrated with carrier 358. The cleaning element362 has a predefined range of rotation about the carrier axis 360 andone of the cleaning element 362, carrier 358, or knobs 364 include stopsto prevent the cleaning element 362 from rotating beyond the range ofrotation. For example, the stops may be arranged such that the combteeth 362 a are prevented from moving off of the planar surface 330 ofthe filter 318. Seals are included between the carrier 358 and the dustcontainer 328 to prevent leakage of air or debris outside the dustcontainer 328.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrates another embodiment of a dust container 428 thatis similar in some respects to dust container 28, with like componentsidentified with like reference numerals plus “400.” The dust container428 itself is largely identical to dust container 28′, while the filtercleaning mechanism 422 has changed, as described below. With referenceto FIGS. 9A-9C, the cleaning element 462 on the carrier 458 is aplurality of comb teeth 462 a arranged within valleys 468 b betweenpleats 468 a of the filter 418. The cleaning element 462 is attached tothe carrier 458, which is coupled to the knob 464. The carrier 458 ispivotably supported by the bottom wall 428 b of the dust container 428.Similarly to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-8, pivoting the carrier458 back and forth about the carrier axis 460 pivots the cleaningelement 462 to wipe the valleys 468 b between the pleats 468 a. Withreference to FIG. 9C, each tooth 462 a is, within each valley 468 b,configured to sweep approximately 67% of the surface area of each pleat468 a of the filter 418.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment of a dust container 528 thatis similar in some respects to dust container 28, with like componentsidentified with like reference numerals plus “500.” The dust container528 itself is largely identical to dust container 28′, while the filtercleaning mechanism 522 has changed, as described below. With referenceto FIG. 10, the cleaning element 562 on the carrier 558 of the dustcontainer 528 is a brush including multiple groups of bristles 570. Thecleaning element 562 is attached to the carrier 558, which is coupled tothe knob 564. The carrier 564 includes stops to limit the degree ofrotational freedom it has about carrier axis 560. The carrier 558 ispivotably supported by the bottom wall 528 b of the dust container 528.As such, rotation of the carrier 558 also imparts rotational movement tothe cleaning element 562 across the filter 518, sweeping debris from thefilter pleats 568 a. Rather than being supported by the bottom wall ofthe dust container 528, the carrier 558 is rotatably supported by a clip582, which is fastened to a screw boss 584 on the dust container 528.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate another embodiment of a dust container 628that is similar to the dust container 28′, with like componentsidentified with like reference numerals plus “600” and the apostropheremoved. The dust container 628 itself is largely identical to dustcontainer 28′, while the filter cleaning mechanism 622 has changed, asdescribed below. The filter cleaning mechanism 622 includes a ratchetassembly 688 for imparting vibration to the filter 618 to shake ordislodge dust or other debris from the inlet surface of the filter 618.The ratchet assembly 688 include a ratchet housing 689 arranged againstthe filter 618. The ratchet housing 689 includes a pawl 690 positionedon a first end 689 a of the ratchet housing 689, a first spring 691positioned on a second end 689 b of the ratchet housing 689, and aratchet member 692 positioned between the pawl 690 and the first spring691. Thus, the first spring 691 biases the ratchet member 692 againstthe pawl 690. The ratchet member 692 may rotate relative to the ratchethousing 689 and the pawl 690. The ratchet housing 689 is rotationallyconstrained with respect to the dust container 628, but is permitted tomove axially. Specifically, the ratchet member 692 and pawl 690 includemated teeth that are configured to slide relative to each other inresponse to rotation of the ratchet member 692 relative to the pawl 690,imparting axial displacement to the ratchet housing 689. A shaft 693extends into the ratchet housing 689 having a first end 693 a extendinginto the ratchet housing 689 and coupled to the ratchet member 692, andan opposite second end 693 b coupled to a knob 694. Thus, rotation ofthe knob 694 imparts rotation to the shaft 693, which rotates theratchet member 692 relative to the ratchet housing 689. The ratchetassembly 688 further includes a second spring 695 coupled to an externalsurface of the housing 689 and surrounding the shaft 693. The secondspring 695 biases the first end 689 a of the ratchet housing 689 againstthe filter 618. In the illustrated embodiment, the second spring 695 isa resilient clip. In some embodiments, instead of a resilient clip, aplurality of wave washers can be used to bias the housing ratchet 689toward the filter 618.

As a user rotates the knob 694, the first spring 691 biases the ratchetmember 692 against the pawl 690, causing the teeth of the ratchet member692 and pawl 690 to slide relative to each other in response to rotationof the ratchet member 692 relative to the pawl 690. This in turn causesthe ratchet housing 689 to undergo reciprocating axial displacementagainst the filter 618 to dislodge dust and other debris from the inletsurface of the filter 618.

FIG. 12A illustrates another embodiment of a dust container 728 that issimilar to the dust container 28′, with like components identified withlike reference numerals plus “700” and the apostrophe removed. Withreference to FIG. 12A, the filter cleaning mechanism 722 includes asweeper 796 positioned against the filter 718 via one or more rails 797.Specifically, the sweeper 796 includes a plurality of guide arms 799slideably arranged in the rails 797. The rails 797 are substantiallyparallel and offset from the edges of the filter 718 such that thesweeper 796 extends substantially parallel to the inlet surface 730 ofthe filter 718. The arms 799 of the sweeper 796 are slidably positionedwithin the rails 797 such that the sweeper 796 may slide along thelength of the filter 718. The sweeper 796 includes several blades 798extending perpendicularly away from the sweeper 796 for contacting theinlet surface 730 of the filter 718. In other embodiments, instead ofblades 798, comb teeth or bristles may be used.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the filter 718 includes a plurality of pleats 768a and valleys 768 b arranged between a first end 718 b of the filter 718and a second end 718 c of the filter 718. Specifically, each of thevalleys 768 b is arranged between a pair of adjacent pleats 768 a. Theblades 798 of the sweeper 796 are positioned within the valleys 768 b ofthe filter 718 in order to remove any dust or debris caught between thepleats 768 a. In some embodiments, the blades 798 may be bristles of abrush in order to protect the face of the filter 718. In someembodiments, the filter cleaning mechanism 722 may include a spring 739biasing the sweeper 796 toward the first end 718 b of the filter 718 andaway from the second end 718 c of the filter 718. Additionally, thefilter cleaning mechanism 722 may include a pull cord 741 coupled to thesweeper 796. A user may pull the pull cord 741 to translate the sweeper796 along the filter 718 from the first end 718 b to the second end 718c. As the sweeper 796 is moving, either via the biasing member or thepull cord 741, the blades 798 move within the valleys 768 b between thefirst and second ends 718 b, 718 c of the filter 718 in order to removeany dust and/or debris in the valleys 768 b.

FIG. 12B illustrates another embodiment of a dust container 828 that issimilar to the dust container 28, with like components identified withlike reference numerals plus “800”. With reference to FIG. 12B, thefilter cleaning mechanism 822 includes a sweeper 896 positioned againstthe filter 818 via one or more rails 897. Specifically, the sweeper 896includes a plurality of guide arms 899 slideably arranged in the rails897. The rails 897 are substantially parallel and offset from the edgesof the filter 818 such that the sweeper 896 extends substantiallyparallel to the inlet surface 830 of the filter 818. The arms 899 of thesweeper 896 are slidably positioned within the rails 897 such that thesweeper 896 may slide along the length of the filter 818. The sweeper896 includes several blades 898 extending perpendicularly away from thesweeper 896 for contacting the inlet surface 830 of the filter 818. Inother embodiments, instead of blades 898, comb teeth or bristles may beused.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the filter 818 includes a plurality of pleats 868a and valleys 868 b arranged between a first end 818 b of the filter 818and a second end 818 c of the filter 818. Specifically, each of thevalleys 868 b is arranged between a pair of adjacent pleats 868 a. Theblades 898 of the sweeper 896 are positioned within the valleys 868 b ofthe filter 818 in order to remove any dust or debris caught between thepleats 868 a. In some embodiments, the blades 898 may be bristles of abrush in order to protect the face of the filter 818. In someembodiments, the filter cleaning mechanism 822 may include a springbiasing the sweeper 896 toward the first end 818 b of the filter 818 andaway from the second end 818 c of the filter 818. Additionally, thefilter cleaning mechanism 822 may include a pull cord 841 coupled to thesweeper 896. A user may pull the pull cord 841 to translate the sweeper896 along the filter 818 from the first end 818 b to the second end 818c. As the sweeper 896 is moving, either via the biasing member or thepull cord 841, the blades 898 move within the valleys 868 b between thefirst and second ends 818 b, 818 c of the filter 818 in order to removeany dust and/or debris in the valleys 868 b.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dust collector for use with a hand-held powertool, the dust collector comprising: a housing; a telescoping suctionpipe coupled to the housing; a suction fan positioned in the housing andoperable to generate a vacuum in the suction pipe; a dust containercoupled to the housing and positioned upstream of the fan; a filter atleast partially arranged in the dust container; and a filter cleaningmechanism including an anvil, a striker moveable between a first strikerposition, in which the striker is spaced from the anvil, and a secondstriker position, in which the striker is in contact with the anvil, anactuator moveable between a first actuator position and a secondactuator position, in which the actuator is moved closer to the anvilthan in the first position, and a first spring biasing the strikertoward the anvil, wherein in response to the actuator being depressed,the actuator is moved from the first actuator position to the secondactuator position and the first spring moves the striker from the firststriker position to the second striker position, such that the anvilimpacts the filter, thereby dislodging dust and other debris therefrom.2. The dust collector of claim 1, wherein the filter cleaning mechanismfurther includes a second spring positioned between the anvil and thestriker, the second spring configured to bias the striker away from theanvil.
 3. The dust collector of claim 2, wherein the second spring movesthe striker from the second striker position to the first strikerposition in response to the actuator being released.
 4. The dustcollector of claim 3, wherein the second spring concurrently moves theactuator from the second actuator position to the first actuatorposition in response to the actuator being released.
 5. The dustcollector of claim 4, wherein the second spring has a stiffness that isless than a stiffness of the first spring.
 6. The dust collector ofclaim 1, wherein the filter cleaning mechanism further includes amechanism housing coupled to the dust container, and wherein the anvil,the striker, and the first spring are arranged within the mechanismhousing.
 7. The dust collector of claim 6, further including an 0-ringarranged between the mechanism housing and the dust container.
 8. Thedust collector of claim 6, wherein in the first striker position, thestriker is engaged against an internal shoulder of the mechanismhousing, and in response to the actuator moving to the second actuatorposition, the striker is moved off the internal shoulder by theactuator.
 9. The dust collector of claim 8, wherein the striker includesa striker shoulder that is engaged with the internal shoulder when thestriker is in the first striker position.
 10. The dust collector ofclaim 9, wherein the actuator includes a bore in which the first springis positioned, wherein the bore is at least partially defined by anannular tapered cam surface, and wherein in response to the actuatormoving to the second actuator position, the annular tapered cam surfaceis engageable with the striker to disengage the striker shoulder fromthe internal shoulder.
 11. The dust collector of claim 10, wherein thesecond spring has a stiffness that is less than a stiffness of the firstspring, and wherein in response to the striker shoulder disengaging fromthe internal shoulder, the first spring rebounds to displace the strikertoward the second striker position, which also compresses the secondspring.
 12. The dust collector of claim 1, wherein the first spring isseated about a perch in the actuator, and wherein the perch defines aperch axis that is offset relative to an anvil axis defined by theanvil.
 13. The dust collector of claim 12, wherein in the first strikerposition, the striker is not coaxial with the anvil axis, and in thesecond striker position, the striker is coaxial with the anvil axis. 14.The dust collector of claim 1, wherein the filter cleaning mechanismfurther comprises a mechanism housing coupled to the dust container, anda bellows at least partially surrounding an end of the actuatorprotruding from the mechanism housing.
 15. The dust collector of claim1, wherein the filter cleaning mechanism further comprises a cappositioned between the anvil and the filter, such that in response tothe striker impacting the anvil upon reaching the second strikerposition, the cap vibrates the filter to dislodge the dust and the otherdebris therefrom.
 16. A dust collector for use with a hand-held powertool, the dust collector comprising: a housing; a telescoping suctionpipe coupled to the housing; a suction fan positioned in the housing andoperable to generate a vacuum in the suction pipe; a dust containercoupled to the housing and positioned upstream of the fan; a filter atleast partially arranged in the dust container; and a filter cleaningmechanism including a mechanism housing having an internal shoulder, ananvil arranged within the mechanism housing and defining an anvil axis,a striker arranged within the mechanism housing and moveable between afirst striker position, in which the striker is engaged against theinternal shoulder and spaced from the anvil, and a second strikerposition, in which the striker is disengaged from the shoulder, incontact with the anvil, and coaxial with the anvil axis, an actuatormoveable between a first actuator position and a second actuatorposition, in which the actuator is moved closer to the anvil than in thefirst position, the actuator including an actuator contact portion, anda spring biasing the striker against the internal shoulder of themechanism housing and towards the anvil, wherein in response to movementof the actuator from the first actuator position to the second actuatorposition, the actuator contact portion moves the striker off of theshoulder and the spring moves the striker from the first strikerposition to the second striker position.
 17. The dust collector of claim16, wherein the filter cleaning mechanism further includes a secondspring positioned between the anvil and the striker, the second springconfigured to bias the striker away from the anvil.
 18. The dustcollector of claim 16, wherein the actuator includes a bore in which thefirst spring is positioned, wherein the bore is at least partiallydefined by an annular tapered surface, and wherein in response to theactuator moving to the second actuator position, the annular taperedsurface is engageable with the striker to disengage the striker shoulderfrom the internal shoulder.
 19. The dust collector of claim 16, furtherincluding an O-ring arranged between the mechanism housing and the dustcontainer.
 20. The dust collector of claim 16, wherein the filtercleaning mechanism further comprises a cap positioned between the anviland the filter, such that in response to the striker impacting the anvilupon reaching the second striker position, the cap vibrates the filterto dislodge dust and other debris therefrom.